Extracts
taken from the CD-Rom "Amicale du Tracteur Renault" (1999 - Jacques
Gouet)
and extracts from the "Encyclopédie du Tracteur Renault"
Three volumes (1919-1970) - (1971-2000) - (2000-2005) Editions ETAI(Reproduced on this site with permission of ETAI)

At the end of 1984 Mr Georges Besses replace Mr . Hanon at the
managing director.

It was at a board meeting on 2nd September 1985 that the
company name SMATP, created in 1965, was changed to Renault Agriculture.

In
the light of this a document of transfer from the DMA to Renault
Agriculture was signed on 3rd September by Mr. Georges Besses.
Renault Agriculture became an independant company, within the Renault
group.

Since the introduction of the high range in 1981 Renault Agriculture had
placed a greater accent on research into onboard electronic systems and in
1986 introduced TractoControl Electronique TCE.

To
replace Ecocontrol introduced in 1983 Renault Agriculture developed ACET
« Aide a la conduit economique du tracteur ». The new TX16 and
TS16 ranges were fitted with this device.

This year also saw the
reintroduction of Perkins engines, abandoned since 1968, on the SP range

Another
important development took place in 1986 with the Vinyard and Orchard
range. Incolaboration with
Carraro, Renault redefined this range. The range was built at the Carraro
factory at
Rovigo
and the tractors with engines from KHD Deutz who had recently taken over
MWM.

In
1987 Mr Levy replaced Mr. Georges Besse as managing director of the
Renault group, following the assination of Mr Besse. At the 1987 SIMA
show, seated at the wheel of a new model fitted with a hydrostable cab, Mr
Levy stated the importance of its tractor subsidiary to the Renault group.

On
13th October 1987 Renault Agriculture transfered its interest
in Riviere Casalis to the Vicon group to allow the company to focus on
tractor production.

During
this period of falling sales Renault Agriculture, in common with many
other companies in the agricultural machinery sector, was to face a loss
making situation for several years.

Due
to its independance Renault Agriculture was able able to carry out a major
restructuring, product range ralionalisation, cost reductions, stock
reductions and increased production efficiency in preparation for the
future.

After
several years of effort Reanult Agriculture was at last able to return to
a profitable situation in 1988.

In 2 years the tractor
range had been completely renewed, with emphasis on the low, medium and
vinyard/orchard ranges. Major improvements were made in operator comfort,
appearance, safety and braking with the introduction of oil immersed
brakes.

The
introduction of white tractors, as a special series, coupled to an
agressive marketing policy greatly improved sales.

Following
on from this success Renault Agriculture added the Tracfor range to its
price list, these tractors were recognised as good value for money.

In
1989 Renault Agriculture introduced the M and P ranges with a new
cab design which would, in future, be used on all the high range
tractors.

1990
saw the introduction of Tractoradar, this improved working
efficiency by regulating the speed of the tractor via an active
wheelslip control system.

The
beginning of the 90’s saw the arrival of Power Shift transmissions with
Renault Agriculture. Renault had lacked this type of transmission but this
was rapidly rectified, between 1990 and 1994, with the introduction of :

In 1991 Renault Agriculture launched the Nectra range, this top of the
range model was fitted with all the latest developments as standard and
had metalic gold paintwork which distinguished it from all the other
tractors on the market. This was a limited series which was terminated in
early 1994.

With the Nectra Renault Agriculture introduced the Tractoshift gearbox
with 3 speed splitter and hydraulic reverser, the first time Renault had
offered this type of transmission.

Below the control box Multishift

As
Renault had no transmissions suitable for tractors over 150 HP the
180-94 TZ tractors introduced in 1992 were fitted with a SLH
gearbox known as Multishift.

During
this year the Renault logo was modified as shown in this photo.

On
the 22 October 1992 Mr Bruno Morange suceeded Mr Gilbert Guez who moved to
another part of the Renault group. Mr. Morange was not unknown at Renault
Agriculture as, some years previously, he had occupied the post of
financial director.

The
increasing use of electronic equipment on the tractors required effective
diagnostic equipment. After several years of combined effort the Research
& Development and Service departments introduced an expert diagnostic
system known as Metadiag. This system, which is installed on a portable
computer, is connected directly to the TCE, Tractoshift or Multishift
systems allows the technician quickly diagnose faults on the tractor.

Metadiag was introduced at the SIMA show in 1993 and distributed to the
dealer network in the same year.

Metadiag
is a part of the
Meta
projectwhich was started in
1991 and includes Metadoc, the electronic parts catalogue which was
introduced to the dealer network in 1998.

Both of these applications were developed « in
house » by Renault Agricultures own staff.

Jeremy
and Jacques Gouet designers/directors

METADOC

In 1993 Renault Agriculture launched the Ceres range, this was an
important point as this range of tractors, which included both
design and technical innovations, covered thethe greatest part of
the French market.